Contents
Chapter 33
Overview
Hurin leads Rand to a hidden Waygate in Barthanes’s walled garden, but opening it unleashes Machin Shin. Loial closes the gate and saves them, forcing the group to seek another route. Barthanes delivers Fain’s message: meet on Toman Head. Verin resolves to reach it via Stedding Tsofu’s Waygate as Mat’s condition worsens.
Summary
Hurin draws Rand, Loial, and Mat away from Barthanes’s party to a walled garden where the Darkfriends’ trail ends. Inside, Rand discovers a Waygate, confirming the manor stands on an old Ogier grove. Rand opens the gate to prove they can follow, but Machin Shin pushes outward, calling Rand’s name. Embracing saidin, Rand drives the Black Wind back while Loial restores the leaf, and the gate closes.
Shaken and unable to pursue through that gate, the trio return inside. Barthanes intercepts Rand and delivers Padan Fain’s message: Fain will wait on Toman Head with what Rand seeks and will hound Rand’s loved ones if he refuses to follow. The party departs for The Great Tree under Verin’s orders.
Back at the inn, Rand recounts finding the Waygate and confronting Machin Shin. Verin insists the Black Wind cannot be controlled, yet accepts they must go to Toman Head, citing cryptic writings from Fal Dara. Ingtar despairs that the Horn may already be lost, but Rand vows to ride for Toman Head immediately; Loial, Mat, and Perrin commit to accompany him.
Verin proposes a solution: avoid Barthanes’s guarded Waygate and instead use the Waygate at nearby Stedding Tsofu, departing at first light. She presses Ingtar to ready the Shienaran soldiers. In private, Verin admits Mat’s strength endures but his body is wasting, giving only weeks, underscoring the urgency as Rand pointedly keeps his distance from Aes Sedai designs.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorOpens the Waygate, confronts Machin Shin with saidin, receives Fain’s threat, and commits to pursue Toman Head.
- Verin MathwinAssesses the Black Wind report, decides to use Stedding Tsofu’s Waygate, reveals Mat’s worsening condition, takes command.
- LoialIdentifies the old grove and Waygate; replaces the leaf to close it, saving the group; pledges to accompany Rand.
- Mat CauthonGrumbles about servitude; cannot sense the dagger; resolves to chase Fain; visibly wasting despite retained strength.
- Ingtar ShinowaDespairs at losing the Horn to the Ways; doubts Fain’s message; prepares soldiers under Verin’s plan.
- HurinTracks Darkfriends to the walled garden; witnesses Machin Shin; urges caution; remains loyal and practical.
- Perrin AybaraAt the inn reading; joins the decision to travel to Toman Head, offering support to keep Mat out of trouble.
- Lord Barthanes DamodredHosts the party; privately conveys Padan Fain’s message directing Rand to Toman Head.